Alice's Attic: Smoke bomb battles still a part of Kuper tradition

Jul. 8, 2014

Alice Chamley

Written by

Alice Chamley

Years ago, when Kevin was just a young sprout, the Kuper family would entertain cousins who came to enjoy the Fourth of July together.

They would picnic, visit, and shoot their fireworks.

The rule for the Kuper kids was that no one could light a firecracker until they heard one go off somewhere else. Then, the action would begin and the neighborhood became full of noise and smoke. The Zwart kids and our kids would all join in.

The favorite brand of firecrackers was the Thunderbomb. Kevin would have all of his unwound and ready to go, but, this one year proved a disaster when he put them all in a paper bag along with some smoke bombs. He was sitting patiently, holding his paper bag, waiting and waiting for the sound of a distant lit firecracker, when he decided to light a smoke bomb.

The sparks fell into the bag and set off the Thunderbombs. True to their name, I think the whole town heard the loud booms! But, thank goodness, the only injury to Kevin was burned holes in his shirt, and the worst was that his party ended way too soon.

The Kuper family still celebrates with an annual smoke bomb tournament, which includes a traveling trophy and a mini parade with marching and display of flags!